Toyota Achieves Another Accolade For Its Green Activities
Toyota (GB) PLC has achieved yet another accolade for its ‘green activities’ by winning the Overall Motor Manufacturer National Green Champion award at the Green Apple Awards 2001. The judges commended Toyota’s Environmental Strategy, which regards the protection of the global environment as one of its main priorities.
“Achieving the Overall Motor Manufacturer National Green Champion at the Green Apple Awards is testimony to the work Toyota is doing in the UK with both its manufacturing and retail activities,” commented Edmund Blamey, Environmental Affairs Manager for Toyota (GB) PLC.
“Environmental concern is a major corporate issue that Toyota takes very seriously and it is very pleasing when this effort is recognised through awards such as this.”
Toyota is constantly evaluating all technologies in its aim to achieve the ‘ultimate eco-car’. The current range of engines reflects this philosophy; the VVT-i direct injection petrol engines are ‘intelligent’ delivering power as well as outstanding fuel economy and low emissions.
In addition, the new D-4D diesel engines meet all European Step III emission legislation with potentially harmful gases and particulates reduced, thanks to the improved fuel consumption and more efficient combustion of the direct injection engines. Emissions of the main greenhouse gas, CO2, are also cut considerably for each model.
Toyota’s R&D spending on environmental technology amounts to over 4 billion US dollars annually. This research focuses on different vehicle powertrain applications from petrol-electric hybrid technology such as the Toyota Hybrid System fitted to the Toyota Prius to hybrid fuel cell developments of the future.
Two different concept hybrid fuel cell vehicles were shown at the Tokyo Motor Show 2001 using either high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks (FCHV-4), or a clean hydrocarbon fuel (CHF) reformer (FCHV-5) as a power source.
The Green Apple Award is the latest in a multitude of environmental awards from around the world in recognition of the achievements made by the company on environmental and sustainability related issues. In 1999 it was the first automotive manufacturer in the world to receive the United Nations Environmental Programme ‘Global 500’ award.
ENDS
Note to Editors: The UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) Global 500 Award is presented to individuals and organisations who distinguish themselves in the field of environmental conservation and improvements. The award serves as recognition for Toyota’s activities with Prius, environmental reporting and global ISO14001 certification for all manufacturing facilities worldwide.
